Behind Nine-Run Fifth, Wild Things Win Third Straight

WASHINGTON, Pa., June 3 - Trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the fifth inning Saturday night at home, the Wild Things' bats were struggling to produce much offensively. It was then when the bats came alive for Washington. The fifth inning turned into a nine-run inning for the home team, and was a big reason Washington (12-8) ended up on the right side of a 10-3 final score.

There was no scoring through the first four innings of Saturday's contest between Washington and Traverse City (9-11). In the top of the fifth, the control got away from Aaron Burns a bit, the Wild Things' starter, and the first run came in on a bases-loaded walk. A second run scored on a passed ball.

The bottom of the fifth began with third baseman Kyle Reese reaching on an error, and eventually, Reese was brought home with a sacrifice fly by shortstop Trevin Sonnier. A few batters later, second baseman Alex Fernandez singled home a run to tie things at two apiece. Left fielder Bralin Jackson, some batters later, hit a three-run home run to give Washington a three-run lead, before the bases were loaded for catcher Kyle Pollock. Pollock launched a grand slam to deep left-center field, putting the Wild Things up 9-2.

Each team added one more run after the fifth inning before Washington won its third-consecutive game. Reliever Davis Adkins got the win in relief after throwing 2.2 innings of shutout baseball, while Traverse City starter James Ball got the loss after 4.1 innings of five-run ball.

The two teams play the third game of the series tomorrow evening, Sunday, June 4, with first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m. Wild Things' pitcher Trevor Foss will take the hill opposed by left-hander John Havird for the Beach Bums, as Washington looks for its second sweep of the 2017 season.